The Los Angeles Chargers are set to take on the Green Bay Packers this Sunday in a huge Week 9 matchup.
Here are five matchups that could determine the outcome of the game:
Chargers OTs Russell Okung & Sam Tevi vs. Packers LBs Za’Darius Smith & Preston Smith
Acquiring the Smiths this past offseason has paid huge dividends for a Green Bay defense that was in need of a huge spark to their pass rush. The brothers have combined for 15 sacks this season and they’ve been contributors at stopping the run, as well.
The Chargers got Russell Okung back last weekend and he was a big help for an offensive line that struggled to keep the heat away from quarterback Philip Rivers. Sam Tevi didn’t have an issue because Okung took care of Bears’ Khalil Mack last Sunday, but now, he will have a tough test with the two.
Chargers linebackers vs. Packers RBs Aaron Jones
After experiencing a breakout season in 2018, Jones has followed that up with becoming one of the league’s best backs. The versatile back is coming off a career-high performance against the Chiefs that resulted in 226 total yards and three touchdowns, and is looking to repeat that success.
There’s a great opportunity he could do so facing a Chargers front seven that has been vulnerable to opposing running backs. They’ve struggled to tackle in open space and Jones can make defenders miss, but he will also be lined up as a wide receiver and that has arguably been the biggest weakness for Los Angeles’ defense, so they will need to slow him down.
Chargers TE Hunter Henry vs. Packers linebackers
The Packers could exploit the Chargers linebackers by utilizing Aaron Jones’ skillset, but there’s a way that Los Angeles could do the same to Green Bay’s linebackers. That consists of getting Henry involved early and often in the passing game.
Henry has been red hot since his return from a knee injury that he sustained in the regular season opener, but quarterback Philip Rivers will have to look to exploit a glaring weakness.
The Packers haven’t had an answer to opposing tight ends this season. They’ve surrendered nearly 500 yards to tight ends and it’s largely due to the linebacker’s inability to turn and run with them, and it’s not their safeties’ strong suit.
Chargers RBs Melvin Gordon & Austin Ekeler vs. Packers NT Kenny Clark & DE Dean Lowry
The Packers have allowed the eighth-most yards and a good chunk of them have come from running backs that they’ve faced. This season, they’ve given up 123.8 rushing yards per game.
Even though it’s been a very disappointing past four games for Gordon and Ekeler on the ground, this would be the game that they could turn it around.
It all starts with giving them the rock more and new offensive coordinator Shane Steichen emphasized establishing a balanced offense and that ties into resorting to a ground game, too.
The Chargers offensive line has shown slight progress in the run blocking department, but they’re still abysmal. I expect them to show more improvement starting this weekend with a new play-caller and more efficiency from the offensive line.
Chargers DE Joey Bosa & Melvin Ingram vs. Packers OTs David Bakhtiari & Bryan Bulaga
Packers coach Matt LaFleur praised Ingram and Bosa, saying that this will be the most dynamic tandem that they’ve played thus far. But this will be one of the duos that Bosa and Ingram have faced this season, as well.
Bosa is coming off back-to-back performances that has resulted in multiple sacks. Ingram hasn’t shown up on the stat sheet as much, but he’s been a big reason for Bosa’s dominance, commanding one-on-one situations when they’re on the same side.
The protection of quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been lights out this season, but last weekend against the Chiefs it was a bit rough. There’s no denying that Rodgers is one of the best at evading sacks, but in order to keep him from going off, the Bolts need a big game from Bosa and Ingram.
